The Campaign Against Sex Tourism and Trafficking in Filipino Women (CAST) is conducting an exposure/study tour to the Philippines from June 19 to July 4. The objectives of the tour are to expose the participants to the realities of the sex trade industry in the Philippines and to bring to public attention the structural problems that bring about the massive exploitation of Filipina women internationally. The tour culminates in a three-day conference. The tour costs approximately $2000. For more information contact Melba Marginson (03) 329 9042 or Joy Balazo (02) 287 0900. Donations towards the fares of Filipina women from Australia are welcome, so they can participate in the tour.
BRISBANE — A new video from Mexico, A Voyage to the Centre of the Jungle: A Tribute to the Zapatistas, was shown to 60 people at the Resistance Centre on March 22. The video contains an interview with some of the leaders of the EZLN, the Zapatista National Liberation Army, and also records the August 1994 conference organised by the Zapatistas two weeks before the Mexican national elections. It was held in the jungle and attended by 6000 delegates, with many international guests. A spokesperson from the Guatemalan Human Rights Committee explained some of the history of the formation of the Central American states. Coral Wynter from CISLAC talked of the implication of the recent economic measures for the Mexican people with credit cards now charging 80% interest rates. The meeting was also sponsored by Australian Aid for El Salvador, the Pablo Neruda Cultural Centre and the Democratic Socialist Party. The video can be hired from any CISLAC branch.
- Forty people attended a speak-out on East Timor organised by Resistance in Brisbane's main shopping mall on March 30. People gathered at the offices of oil company Petroz to protest against the Australian government's support for the Indonesian regime, which has been emphasised this week by the award of the Order of Australia to Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas. Resistance spokesperson Samantha Lazzaro said, "Such an award should go to jailed East Timor resistance leader Xanana Gusmao for his courageous defence of the people of East Timor's right to self determination". Speakers from the Catholic Workers and Aksi also spoke about Australia's role. The speak-out was part of a campaign leading up to a National Day of Action on May 13.